History
120 years ago, the Boulder Chamber was established with an ambitious goal: “To establish Boulder as a booming metropolis and the best place to live and work.” The Chamber was founded in the tradition of those who advocated early on to host the state’s flagship university, and in whose tradition Boulder would go on to attract leading laboratories and businesses. Throughout, the Boulder Chamber has played an essential role in community progress.
But even as Boulder has established itself as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, the community’s and the Chamber’s efforts are unfinished. The Chamber continues to work with a variety of community interests to promote sustained economic vitality and to fulfill its original goal.
The Founding Years: Foresight for Responsible Development
Boulder began as a mining community in the 1800s, amid both friendship and conflict with Chief Niwot and his people. Boulder Valley’s newcomers saw the potential to build lasting prosperity by fostering innovation-driven expansion. They advocated with leaders in Denver to bring the state’s first university to their community (instead of hosting the state prison). The University of Colorado Boulder opened its doors in 1877. Soon the citysaw the establishment of Chautauqua and the birth of a vibrant cultural scene. It also began purchasing land to preserve the spectacular local environment.
City founders realized the need and promise in attracting visitors and businesses to help the community thrive. So, in 1905, a group of business owners and city leaders formed the “Boulder Commercial Association” with the principal goal of promoting the community’s economic vitality. Business leaders championed the building of the landmark Hotel Boulderado to house visitors, and they also formed committees to begin important work on the big issues of the day, advocating for transportation investments, education and engaging in legislative affairs, and land-use decisions.
So early on, city leaders saw the wisdom of creating an association dedicated to marshaling the resources of the business community to establish the foundation for continued economic opportunity and prosperity.
The Rise of the “Innovation-driven Economy”
Since the mid-1990s, Boulder has become a leader in technology startups and other entrepreneurial endeavors. For example, it’s seen the rise of technology-focused companies such as Rally Software; food and beverage companies such as the Big Red F Restaurant Group; and entertainment venues such as eTown.
In 2013 the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation named Boulder the leader in high-tech startup concentration. The University of Colorado Boulder has been named one of the top entrepreneurial universities in the country. At the same time, Boulder is consistently listed as one of the nation’s most desirable places to live. It’s been called “America’s Best Town for Startups.” And it’s cited as one of the most innovative cities in the nation. It also has the distinction of being named “Foodiest Town in America” by Bon Appétit magazine.
As a result, even during the recent recession, Boulder’s economy has continued to thrive, thanks to its diverse and innovative community. And again throughout, the Boulder Chamber has partnered with other local and regional organizations, businesses and creative individuals to help drive our innovation ecosystem. For example, through its Boulder Economic Council, the Chamber has helped support and retain vital businesses like Google. The Chamber also works with the City of Boulder’s Economic Vitality Program and community organizations such as Better Boulder and the Community Foundation of Boulder County.
By offering an increasing variety of services, advocating for business interests, and offering vital support for the community’s economic vitality, the Chamber has become Boulder’s flagship business advocacy and support organization. And in the process, the Chamber has been fulfilling its original goal “to establish Boulder as a booming metropolis and the best place to live and work.”
Arts Involvement
In support of the local creative community and to highlight the important economic and cultural contributions the arts bring to Boulder, the Boulder Chamber commissioned a permanent wall mural on the Chamber Center and Visitor Information building by renowned muralist Armando Silva.
Completed in 2019, the project was part of the Chamber’s presenting sponsorship of Street Wise, Boulder’s first mural festival. The festival was celebrated with a block party at the Chamber Center and Visitor Information building at 2440 Pearl St. on October 5.
Mural painting at the Chamber Center began on Tuesday, September 24. During the initial design stages, the Boulder Chamber asked Mr. Silva to conceptualize a wall mural that communicated themes of community, optimism and hope.
In his artist statement, Mr. Silva wrote that the design featured a “child reaching out in wonder and admiration, letting a part of themselves out to the world as an offering and in gratitude.” Elements of the design, including flowers and a mountain landscape, referred directly to local flora and the mountain view as seen from Boulder.
Armando Silva is a painter, muralist, and performer who uses his artistic superpowers to tell powerful stories, build community, and inspire youth through art.
